How do freshwater plants adapt

Plants are usually the pioneers of a new ecosystem, and therefore a bustling freshwater environment will have an abundance of plants. The ecological niche alongside the still water banks is occupied by plants called hydroseres , which are partially, or totally submerged by water along the banks.

Some of these hydroseres are rooted in the water, though some of their leaves penetrate the water surface, while others float on the surface, one side in contact with the water, the other side in contact with the open-air environment. In essence, hydroseres possess evolutionary adaptations and dithering respiration rates from land plants that have allowed them to adapt to live in such an environment.

Such evolutionary adaptations in plants ha meant that their physical structure has changed to suit the environment, and therefore making freshwater plants distinctly unique in appearance.

An example of these adaptations is the lack of rigid structures in freshwater plants. This allows such plants to be more flexible against oncoming water tides and prevents damage to the plant. As plants require a minimum concentration of gases in their diet such as carbon dioxide, they require a degree of buoyancy so that contact can be made with the open-air environment. Adaptations may include:. As these plants are either partially or totally submerged in water, their transpiration rate is very different from that of land plants.

Such adaptations allow the freshwater community plants to cope with these conditions and thrive. Trout live in both streams and rivers. They eat fish and insects. Estuaries are rich in animal life and are often a protected area where juvenile creatures seek refuge. There are also a variety of animals who live in estuaries that people like to eat, for example clams, shrimp and lots of fish.

Freshwater ecosystems are important because they provide us water for drinking; energy and transportation; recreation, like boating and fishing; and many jobs, like fishermen and researchers.

One way that people use rivers is to produce hydroelectric power. As water passes through a dam, and into a river below electricity is produced. A device inside the dam called a turbine uses magnets, metal, and the movement from the water to produce electricity. When a dam is built, an artificial lake is created behind the dam. Dams can be viewed as good and bad. Dams may provide pollution-free energy, and create lakes for people to enjoy, but they can also damage the environment. Salmon are a species that use rivers to spawn, and are often hurt by dams.

Wetlands are also an important type of freshwater ecosystem. They may be soggy and stinky, but they provide critical habitat for tons of plants and animals, help clean our water, control floods, and provide food for humans. Vines, like ivy and honeysuckle, climb the trunks of trees to get a greater share of sunlight. Without sunlight green plants cannot photosynthesize and make their food. The cold temperatures of winter slow them down and stops their growth.

Freezing temperatures stop water from circulating in the plants ' sap. It is the seeds of annual plants that survive through winter. For reproduction , the water lilies extend roots into the water , but they produce flowers above the water. The flowers can disperse pollen by air, water , or even insects. They reproduce through both seeds and rhizome spread. Vascular or Nonvascular? This plant is vascular because it has roots which connect to the bottom of the lake and water and sugar flows through them.

How do freshwater plants adapt to their environment? Category: pets fish and aquariums. Freshwater plants have adapted various types of leaves, depending on where they are located on the plant.

Underwater leaves are very thin in order to be able to absorb as much diffused light as possible. In some plants , they are so thin they appear as strands of algae. Floating leaves are also common. What is freshwater biomes? Can plants live in water? What are some freshwater plants? How is freshwater formed? Animal Adaptations Fish are able to obtain oxygen through their gills. Fish such as trout have adapted to living in rivers and streams where the water is cooler, clearer and has a higher oxygen level.

Freshwater plants have adapted various types of leaves, depending on where they are located on the plant. Underwater leaves are very thin in order to be able to absorb as much diffused light as possible.

In some plants, they are so thin they appear as strands of algae. Floating leaves are also common. Some Animals and their adaptive features. It has slippery surface hooks and suckers for attachment to water particles. They have swim bladders which enable them to float buoyancy in water.